It was quite the rollercoaster first week of the 2026 league year for the Baltimore Ravens. General manager Eric DeCosta verbally locked in a blockbuster deal for pass rusher Maxx Crosby, but the Ravens’ organization conducted an abrupt change of course after some concerns reportedly arose around Crosby’s physical. In short order, Trey Hendrickson was the splash addition on the edge, instead. How did the Ravens do as a whole? Here’s their full haul from the first week of 2026 free agency:

• EDGE Trey Hendrickson
• OG John Simpson
• SAF Jaylinn Hawkins
• TE Durham Smythe
• IOL Jovaughn Gwyn

The best parts of the Ravens’ first week of free agency

The Hendrickson signing speaks for itself. The pivot, amid getting to save Baltimore two first-round picks as compared to the Crosby trade, does leave the organization in a better place, as well. Regardless of the league optics, I would also rather have two first-round picks and Trey Hendrickson on a free agency deal as compared to the trade for Crosby, a more expensive player. That’s a win.

So, too, is getting a familiar face in the building at a dire position of need via the addition of John Simpson. Simpson is a fine option to serve as a starting guard and even if his $10 million annual price point feels rich, I’ve seen lesser guards get more on the open market in recent years. Teams pay for guards like crazy.

I also like the Hawkins signing as a third safety. He’s been a productive player for the past few seasons and was a fine option for the Patriots last season. With Malaki Starks and Kyle Hamilton also in the room, this is the right kind of investment as a third option.

Concerns about the Ravens’ first week of free agency

Not getting Tyler Linderbaum extended sucks. It does, sorry. Now, I understand not leaping to give him $27 million per season, like the Raiders (of all teams) did. But the Ravens declined to not only use the franchise tag on Linderbaum this offseason, they chose not to exercise his fifth-year option last spring, which would have kept him locked in for $23.4 million in 2026. In hindsight, we may have wanted that one back, especially if they were willing to offer him a market reset contract, which is what DeCosta said at the 2026 NFL Combine.

Center isn’t the only hole on the roster. The tight end and wide receiver situation behind Zay Flowers and Mark Andrews is currently…unsettling. Newly signed Durham Smythe should be considered a discount version of Charlie Kolar, who was Baltimore’s third tight end for years. Smythe is the only other TE on the roster right now — and the team lost FB Patrick Ricard to New York to boot.

The interior offensive line is still shaky. Simpson should stabilize one spot but it sounds like Emery Jones Jr. is going to have a lot of eggs put into his basket. We’ll see how that goes.

Final grade for the first week of free agency

I think Baltimore did well for themselves attacking the pass rusher issue. Is it enough to offset the loss of Linderbaum, Isaiah Likely, Kolar, Ricard, Alohi Gilman, Ar’Darius Washington, and Keaton Mitchell?? That probably depends on how well DeCosta drafts next month. Go get ’em, Eric.

Grade: C

Pittsburgh Steelers News

Fallout of the Maxx Crosby debacle just dealt the Steelers multiple losses amid controversial situation with the Baltimore Ravens

The Steelers are not immune to what the Ravens have done with Maxx Crosby.

Rob Gregson